Having a Successful Career While Putting Your Health, Happiness and Family First with Judge Brian Jordan

My guest in this week’s episode of The Happy Lawyer Happy Life podcast is a true example of a successful and happy lawyer. Judge Brian Jordan worked as a solicitor and then barrister, specialising in family law from 1975 to 1991 before being appointed a Judge of the Family Court. He went on to work on the bench for over 23 years before retiring and moving into the next stage of his career as a mediator and arbitrator.

Not only is Brian a wealth of wisdom and experience on legal matters, he’s also someone who’s managed to achieve real happiness for himself and his family, without compromising success in his career. In this episode he talks to me about how he’s managed to consistently achieve that, despite coming up against some major obstacles along the way.

In this episode Brian and I get really into…

What Brian would have been if he hadn’t had a career in law

The current pressure on university students and the shocking rates of depression that exist

The importance of ‘over-preparing’ for cases

Brian’s health issues and how he thrived in his career in spite of them

Brian’s steps in preparing in order to become a brilliant practitioner

How Brian hit the ground running in his career despite initial anxieties

The highlights of Brian’s judicial career

Brian’s experience of challenging unrealistic expectations

How Brian’s desire to be as involved a parent as possible affected his career choices

The daunting and rewarding responsibility that comes from being a Judge

Brian’s struggles working on sexual abuse cases and the emotions that come with it

Mediation as a transition into retirement for Brian

How Brian’s partner has been instrumental in supporting him throughout his career

Brian’s Happiness Challenge!

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